Archive: Around Town

In 2010 Lansing volunteers responded to 1,126 emergency calls including fires and medical emergencies.  Last Saturday those volunteers gathered at the Ramada Inn to honor their own at the annual Lansing Fire Department Dinner.  Department officers gathered in uniform along with spouses and invited guests.  While the evening provided a rare opportunity for the whole department to sit back, relax, and celebrate, it was also an opportunity to honor those volunteers who have given the community their time and expertise, and who put their lives on the line for Lansing residents.

Lansing Chief Scott Purcell started the proceedings with a moment of silence to honor members of the armed services and 87 U.S. fire fighters who lost their lives in the line of duty in 2010.  Tompkins County Director of Emergency Response Lee Shurtleff then swore in the officers who had been elected for 2011.  Officers include Chief Purcell, Deputy Chief brad George, 1st Assistant Chief Darrell Rhoads, 2nd Assistant Chief Thomas Cooper, Captain Michael Drake, Lieutenant Darin Buck, Lieutenant Dennis Griffin, Lieutenant Matthew Day, and Lieutenant Scott Walters.


Purcell thanked members of businesses and neighboring fire departments for providing support for the department, and gave special thanks to spouses and significant others of all the volunteer emergency responders.

"We understand your loss of family time and all the sacrifices that you make day in and week out," he said.  "I want each of you to know that the Chief's Office and the Commissioners of the Lansing Fire District mutually appreciate your support.

Invited luminaries included representatives of the Cayuga Heights, Groton, Ithaca, Locke, Genoa, King Ferry, Freeville, and Dryden Fire Departments, and included representatives from Churchville Fire Equipment, New York State fire instructors, Bangs Ambulance, Lansing Highway Superintendent Jack French, and Town of Lansing Deputy Supervisor Connie Wilcox.  Fire Commissioners Robert Wagner, Larry Creighton, Michael Day, Jeffrey Walters, and District Treasurer George Gesslein also attended, as well as past Lansing chiefs.


Top responders were honored first.  When a 911 call is made dispatchers send out a call to Lansing responders, many of whom may be at work, with family, or asleep.  Volunteers respond when possible, and last year's top responder was Alex Shehu, who responded to a remarkable 240 emergencies.  Daniel Pine had the second highest number of responses, 231 in all.  Kim Sweeney was the third top responder with 218 calls.  Others who responded to 100 calls or more in 2010 were Haman Anand, Jason Berga, Darin Buck, Thomas Cooper, Lawrence Creighton, Michael Day, Michael Drake, Scott Flynn, Mariano Garcia, Bradley George, Kayleen Miller, Emmett Neno, Scott Purcell, Sonya Shehu, Cole Thomas, and Scott Walters.

Training awards went to Scott Flynn and Jim Jackson Jr..  Jason Berga, Darrin Buck, Jennifer Cooper, Tom Dorward, Mike Drake, Scott Flynn, Dennis Griffin, Kayleen Miller, Dan Pine, Alex Shehu, Sonya Shehu, and Kimberly Sweeney were honored with the Chief's Award.  Rookie of the Year went to Emmett Neno.  The President's Award was given to Jennifer Cooper.

Harold 'Butch' Crozier was honored with the Joe 'Ditty' Joseph Award for years of dedication.  Joseph was a long time firefighter in the Lansing Department, which raises money each year at its annual golf tournament to fund a scholarship to a Lansing High School Graduate.


The Dedication Award went to Michael Drake, and Alex Shehu was named EMS Responder of the Year.  The Chief's Appreciation Award went to Jennifer Cooper.

Kimberly Sweeney was honored for Dedication and Service for the Year.  She responded to 218 calls, both fire and EMS, and administered the EMS program, as well as heading EMS training.

Brendan Barrett, Cayla Griffin, Tom Collins, Scott Flynn, Emmett Neno, Jan Stowell, Tom Smith, and Laurie Starr were honored for one year of service, Mariano Garcia and Melanie Towner for five years, Becky Bills for ten years, Robert Campbell, Tim Myers, and Laura Dorward for fifteen years, Tom Cooper for twenty years, Scott Purcell for twenty-five years, Robert Wagner for 35 years, and Rick Sill for forty years of service.

The rest of the evening was about music and Dance, accompanied by the Binghamton-based band Splash.  Purcell says that the Cayuga Heights Fire Department covers emergencies for the Lansing department on the night of the dinner.

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